Originally Posted by dhammer53
As for the best bagel (and most $$$), I'd have to say H&H on Broadway and 81 street.
My family raised me on the belief that H&H was the best. When I was growing up in Iowa, we used to get them FedExed out there (with nova from Murray's Sturgeon Shop) for special occasions. But I've since come to the conclusion that H&H is actually quite overrated. While a fresh H&H bagel will put a not-so-fresh bagel from anywhere to shame, they're overpriced ($11 for a dozen?), too big, and too sweet.
The best bagels I've had are at Absolute Bagels on Broadway between 107th and 108th St. A couple of their varieties (like pumpernickle-raisin) throw off some bagel traditionalists. But it's tough to beat their sesame.
The NYT did a big story on bagel-making a couple years ago that mentioned Absolute:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/31/di...rtner=USERLAND